Street-sweeper



,'(Nomoael.)

J. X. ROGERS. STREET SWBEPER.

Patentedot. 29, 1895.

3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

ANDREW BLRAMAM. PROTO-UHQWASHKKGIDLD C 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

J. X. ROGERS. STMHJ?z SWEBPER.

No. 548,659. latented Oct. 29, 1895.

29% Jaw@ df. Rat-fm 925% fyf@ (No Model.) 3 Sheets- Sheet 3. J4. X. ROGERS. STREET SWEEPBR.

No. 548,559. l Patented 051;. 29,1895.

2 is a plan.

JOSEPH X. ROGERS, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

STREET-SVVEEPER.

lS?1J.{.I'IFliCrl-;TIOH 'forming' part of Letters Patent NO. 548,659, dated October 29, 1895.

Application filed October l2, 1894. Serial No. 525,661. (No model.)

To all whom, it nto/.y concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH X. ROGERS, a citizen of the United States, residing atPhiladelphia, inthe State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Sweeping-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates toa machine which is preferably constructed of dimensions which will adapt it for convenient use by hand, if necessary, and for frequent dumping, the whole being preferably mounted on two main wheels and balancing casters or Wheels; and my invention consists in certain details of construction, which will hereinafter be fully described, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of my im proved sweeper. Fi

Fig. 3 is a vertical section on line 3 3, Figs. 2 and e; and Fig. 4; is a front elevation of the same. Fig. 5 is a detail view of the brush. Fig. 5 is a view showing an additional feature for adjusting the brush as a whole.

This sweeper comprises a quadrangular frame 1, carrying suitable means for drawing or pushing the machine-as, for instance, push-handles 2-and having bearings 3 on the side bars 4, on which are mounted the axle 5 ofthe main carrying and driving Wheels 6. Projecting forward and downward is a swelled portion 7 of the frame 1, in which is mounted a central wheel S to support the front end of the machine. On the swelled extension is also mounted the axle 9 of a brush 10, said axle also carrying a central sprocket-wheel 11, by which the brush is driven through the medium of a chain 12 from a larger sprocketwheel 13 on a spindle 14, which in turn is driven by a smaller wheel 15, secured to it, and a chain 16, which connects wheel 15 with a relatively larger sprocket-Wheel 17 on the main driveaxle 5. One or both of the main wheels 6 are fastened upon the axle 5, and said axle turns in bearings 3, so as to transmit motion through said axle to the sprocket- Wheel 17, which drives the rotary brush, or said sprocket-wheel may be connected with one main wheel in any equivalent manner. Mounted rigidly upon the machinejust in rear of brush 10 is the scraper or collector 20, the

lower edge of which scrapes on the ground and receives the material gathered by brush V10 and guides it into a cylindrical receiver 2l,

mounted just in rear of said collector 20. The scraper has a daring mouth to receive the brush and avoid escape of any of the sweepings. (See Figs. 2 and 4.) The receiver 2l is adapted to be dumped at will, and for this purpose is mounted upon horizontal trunnions 22, supported on the ends of hangers 23, which project down from a cross-bar 23a on the main frame of the machine. This receiver 2l being thus adapted to be inverted may be moved to bring the receiving-opening on the bottom, in order to empty its contents, by drawing a chain 24, whose upper end is held at convenient reach, as at 25. By the shape of the receiver 21 it is held in normal position by reason of its rear projection 26 and makes a tight connection with the collector and receiver 2l and at the same time aiords a stop for the receiver in its return movement by curved edges 27 28, against which the edges of the opening of receiver 21 abut. The collector 2O is supported by hangers 29 from cross-bar 23a.

In Fig. 6 is shown a form of machine embodying a change in the manner of mounting the brush. The brush is either mounted directly on the frame, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4, or is carried by hangers 34, swung from the shaft 14 and carrying the bearings 30 of the brush-axle 9, said hangers 3i being held up by links 35, connected at their ends to said hangers, and adj ustably secured by slots 3G and set-screws 37 to the forward end of the frame, which in this form is not dropped. The brush may by this means be adjusted as a whole toward the ground and the 'collecting scraper to talle up Wear.

The brush 10 is tixed upon its axle and the latter has bearings 30, which are either attached to the front drop extension of the frame, which is widened just forward of the wheels, in order to permit the brush 10 to extend out sidewise past the wheels and clean gutters or other places where the machine cannot be passed over, or said brush-bearings are made in the ends of the hangers 34, as

described. Said brush is made up of a number of double radial sections 3l 32, made alternately of Wire and rattan or other brush material, and secured by bolts and slots on opposite sides of spider-arms 33, arranged at proper points, and thus separately adjustable as they wear unevenly. These sections are divided centrally in a circumferential direction, and the two'parts thus formed of each section are set at angles on a common shaft, so that they have the effect of gathering the dirt from both sides and sweeping it toward the middle line, and thus bringing it Within the collector, the ends of which are flared to embrace the brush. In addition to these features, and in addition to the adjustment of the swinging hangers, I make each brush-section, in the preferred form of brush, removable and adjustable, so that new brushes may be put on or any brush may be set individually, as required, by making slots 18 in the spiderarms 33 and passing bolts 19 through said slots and through the brush-sections 3l and 32. (See Fig. 5.)

From the foregoing description it will be seen that my invention provides a simple but effective sweeping-machine, well adapted for use Where frequent dumping is desired and for operation by hand. I do not limit myself,

however, to any particular means for propelling the machine, and I also desire it understood that the details of construction may be Varied Without departing from the principles of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, the

following is what I claim as new therein and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. In a sweeping machine the combination of a frame comprising the side barsl, having handles 2, main axle bearings 3 and cross-bar 23a, and the enlarged extension 7 having crossbar 14 and carrying front-Wheel S; the dirt receiver 21 trunnioned in hangers 23, depending from cross-bar 23, and the flared collector 20. supported by arms 29, from said crossbar 23a; the brush supported by said front extension, and the driving connections consisting of the sprocket wheels on the axle 5, crossbar 14 and brush 10, and chains connecting said sprocket Wheels, as explained.

2. In combination with a suitable carriage, having an axle with suitable means for rotating it a rotary sweeping brush mounted on said axle and made up of radial spider arms and radial brush sections inclined in opposite directions Jfrom the two ends toward the center of the brush; each section comprising two parts clothed respectively with metal and vegetable bristles and secured on opposite sides ot' the spider arms by slots and bolts whereby the parts are separately adjustable as they Wear unevenly, as set forth.

JOSEPH X. ROGERS. Witnesses:

H. S. KNIGHT, THORNTON J ETT. 

